Interview questions Tom is ready to dig into. Copy them, tweak them, or bring your own.
1Your book Sobriety: A Team Sport emphasizes the importance of community in recovery. Can you explain why addiction can’t be battled alone and how support systems play a crucial role?
2You’ve personally experienced both alcoholism and gambling addiction. What were the biggest lessons you learned about the true nature of addiction, and how did your perspective on recovery evolve?
3Many athletes and military professionals struggle with addiction, yet the culture of toughness often discourages seeking help. How did your background in sports shape your approach to sobriety, and what advice do you have for others in similar high-performance fields?
4There’s a growing conversation around "functional alcoholism"—people who don’t fit the stereotype of an addict but still have a problem with alcohol. How can someone recognize when their drinking has crossed the line into addiction?
5Mindfulness and Buddhism have played a role in your personal recovery journey. How do mindfulness practices, such as breathwork and meditation, help individuals break free from addiction?
6The legal system often relies on punishment to deal with substance abuse issues, but you’ve spoken about how this approach doesn’t work. What alternative methods do you believe would be more effective in helping people recover?
7For family members and loved ones of someone struggling with addiction, what are the most common mistakes they make when trying to help? What’s the best way to support someone without enabling them?
8You talk about the power of surrender in recovery, which is a concept that can be difficult for many to grasp. Can you explain why surrender is not a sign of weakness but actually a crucial step toward healing?
9With addiction affecting people at younger and younger ages, what do you see as the biggest challenges in today’s substance abuse crisis, and how can we better support young people before they reach a crisis point?
10What’s one piece of advice you wish you had received when you first began your journey to sobriety? And what message do you hope listeners take away from your story?